quinta-feira, outubro 31, 2013

Dutch Prog Rockers Sky Architect Return With Brand New Album 'A Billion Years Of Solitude'

Netherlands - Two years after their ambitious 'A Dying Man's Hymn', Sky Architect are now back with their highly anticipated third album titled 'A Billion Years Of Solitude'. Prepare for a launch into space. Prepare for wormholes. Prepare for planet eaters, supernovae, and lots of unexpected twists and turns. This time heavily inspired by the vintage science fiction classics, Sky Architect boldly venture into new territories, once again proving themselves to be pioneers within the genre.

On 'A Billion Years Of Solitude', Sky Architect sound heavier, are more daring and inventive, and have challenged themselves more than ever before. In every step in the process, including the cover artwork, the band have taken full creative control. The result: a stunning outburst of creativity, featuring typical Sky Architect elements such as surprising changes, crazy rhythmic devices, polyphonic arrangements and extensive song structures. Fans of Gentle Giant, The Flower Kings, Beardfish and Pain Of Salvation take note!

Sky Architect is a young Rotterdam-based band. You might be inclined to say they play progressive rock music, but they'd prefer you to just listen to their music free of such limitations. As certified architects, they have the technical proficiency to pull off everything they want to perfection, to draw out a flawless design and lay down a firm foundation. Then, instead of filling it in, they keep to the skeletal set-up and let the weather – be it rain, wind or sunshine – rush through it. However hefty the subject tackled, however heavy the sound, the 'sky' always maintains a feel of playfulness, an airy breeze keeping things fresh and unexpected. The band is on a mission to prove that progressive rock is not only beautiful, but can also be exciting.

Sky Architect evolved from a three-piece called Seraphine, consisting of Wabe, Christiaan and Rik, formed in 2008 at the Rotterdam Conservatory. A year later, Guus and Tom joined and the rest, as they say, is history. Since then, two albums (Excavations of the Mind, A Dying Man's Hymn) were released to critical acclaim. Inspiration for their music runs far and wide. From the usual suspects of our time (Flower Kings, Pain of Salvation, Opeth) and the ones from the genre's heyday ( Pink Floyd, Genesis, King Crimson) towards wildly different acts from the realms of classical music, modern jazz, alternative rock – the energy and commitment of a band like Rage Against the Machine would be a prime example – and many more. This versatility is confirmed by tracing the other projects of the band members, which run the gambit from jazz to folk and from pop to metal. Christiaan is also well-known and highly acclaimed in the scene under his solo moniker Chris. In their short history, they have already played on such esteemed festivals as Night of the Prog, ProgPower and Terra Incognita, sharing the stage with luminaries such as Dream Theater, Riverside and The Tangent.

For the new record, the band was inspired by, and wanted to evoke the feel of, sci-fi movies from the 50s and 60s. Listening to it, you will be transported to a universe and era in which black holes and supernovas are an essential part of everyday life, intergalactic wars are waged and multidimensional beings are waiting past every corner to lunge at you. Through this material, Sky Architect have created an opportunity to craft and twist their sound to fit the subject, and in doing so, grow further as a band. You could call the result space rock, though once again they'd prefer for you to have an open mind and to just go and listen to it.

'A Billion Years Of Solitude' will be released by Galileo Records on November 4th.